By Cedric Avery
The historic Plaza Hotel in New York City has been the scene of many a memorable night on the town. And what better night for it than New Year’s Eve?
The hotel is offering a package enabling guests to usher in the New Year with an exclusive experience that combines the hotel’s luxurious accommodations with five-star dining and world-class spa.
Built in 1907, the 20-story Plaza is a New York landmark and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The hotel has been the location for a host of movies, beginning with Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest in 1959, and including Barefoot in the Park, Funny Girl, Plaza Suite, The Way We Were, Arthur, Crocodile Dundee, Home Alone 2, Sleepless in Seattle, Hollywood Ending and Bride Wars.
It’s also a setting for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby, as well as Kay Thompson’s series of Eloise children’s books, published in the 1950s, about a young girl who lived at the hotel.
The Plaza recently underwent a $450 million, three-year, lobby-to-roof renovation and restoration. Restored to former glory are the Palm Court, Oak Room and Oak Bar, and the opulent Plaza Grand Ballroom.
New additions are the elegant Champagne Bar in the lobby, the stylish Rose Club and the newly opened Plaza Food Hall by Todd English.
Other amenities include the Shops at the Plaza, a world-class retail collection with a Caudalie Vinotherapie(R) Spa, Warren-Tricomi Salon and the Eloise shop.
Also this holiday season, the hotel boasts a Betsey Johnson-designed Eloise tree in the Fifth Avenue foyer, as well as an exclusive pop up curated by the renowned designer.
Guests who book the New Year’s Eve at The Plaza package will enjoy accommodations for two in a guestroom or suite, a New Year’s Eve celebration for two at The Plaza Food Hall by Todd English, $100 food and beverage credit to be redeemed in the Palm Court, Rose Club or Champagne Bar and a $200 spa gift voucher.
They will also receive two keepsake Plaza crystal champagne flutes to commemorate ringing in the New Year at the hotel.
The package is offered December 30, 2011 to January 1, 2012 for a two night minimum length of stay, subject to availability. Rates are from $2,012 USD based on two nights and double occupancy.
More information or reservations are available by calling 877-418-3851 or go to http://www.fairmont.com/theplaza.

In France, there certainly is no shortage of absolutely fabulous ways for one to spend a night on the town.

However, for something very different, there is the Perching Bar. This is truly the definition of haute fabuleaux (high fabulousness), because you are, in fact, sipping from a gorgeous selection of champagnes 18 feet above ground in a positively glamorous treehouse.

Fifteen minutes from Reims (or 45 from Paris) puts you in the heart of Parc Arboxygene, which in itself is a bit of a haven for zip-liners and jungle acrobats alike. Ten more minutes of upward trekking, which includes a stint on a suspended wooden footbridge, and you’ve arrived at what is certainly one of the most unique outposts in the world.

They’ve kept the Perching Bar a classic rustic treehouse with a dab of chic - we’re talking stilts, comfortable furniture, modern designs carved into the wooden benches surrounding the perimeter, and sexy low-lighting at night which makes for a fairytale-like setting.

If your inner child isn’t convinced yet, they’ve even got rope-handle swings hanging from the ceiling.

Entrance to the bar is 15 Euros, which includes one glass of bubbly, whether you simply want to soak in the incredibly lush views or sample the menu. Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights are definitely when you want to be seen there.

More info at www.perchingbar.eu.